Tinubu Playfully Nicknames First Lady at Abuja Dinner

During a press dinner at the State House in Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu humorously referred to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as ‘Iya Alakara,’ which means ‘Mother of Akara,’ prompting laughter from the audience. This comment came in light of recent public reactions to Oluremi Tinubu's remarks encouraging Nigerian women to engage in small businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, and kuli kuli as part of an economic empowerment scheme.

The First Lady faced criticism for her comments, which some viewed as tone-deaf given the country's worsening economic situation. In response to the backlash, she clarified that the initiative is not limited to akara sellers but aims to support various categories of small traders.

During the inauguration of the newly constructed Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at Emir Hadejia's Palace in Jigawa State, she announced that the federal government would release 100 million Naira to support 2,000 petty traders in the state.